Raising funds and knocking on doors

Posted
Thursday, September 13, 2012 1:00 pm

Ward 5 Democratic candidate Ed Ladouceur, 60, raised nearly $14,000 at his last campaign fundraiser, which was held last week at Chelo’s at 2225 Post Road. His wife of 40 years, Deborah, attended the event, as did former mayor Joe Walsh, Senator William Walaska, Senator John Revens and Ward 3 Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson, among others. Ladouceur said he is “excited” by the support. “It’s been amazing,” he said. As part of his campaign, Ladouceur, who owns and operates Stormtite Company, has been walking the ward and chatting with constituents about their prime concerns, such as public safety and abandoned properties. Recently, he knocked on a door and a 7-year-old boy answered. Ladouceur expected the child to retrieve an adult, but instead the boy was interested in speaking with him. “I could not believe the conversation we were having,” Ladouceur said. “He said, ‘If you get elected, I’d like to see you get more fieldtrips for us.’” From there, Ladouceur asked the boy what he thought the benefits of having more field trips would be. He assumed the boy would respond by noting how fun they are. However, the boy’s answer surprised him. “He said, ‘When we go on field trips we learn a lot about history and agriculture,’” Ladouceur said. “It was the complete opposite of what I thought a 7-year-old would reply. He made me realize that young people think of field trips as a strong part of their education.” Additionally, Ladouceur is looking forward to his next fundraiser, which will take place Sunday at the Carousel Grill, 859 Oakland Avenue, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Warwick Beacon photo by Jessica A. Botelho)